Six Questions Everyone Asks About Insulation

Winter is always the time we get asked a million and one questions about insulation. What’s the best product? What’s an R Value? Can I install it myself? What’s it going to cost? Where do I start? Does it actually make any difference? A well-insulated home is warmer in winter, cooler in summer, better for your health, and will save you money on your energy bill. And, if you’re a landlord, all rental homes must be insulated in the ceiling and underfloor from July 2019. Does it make a difference? Insulation makes a HUGE difference! Around a third of your home’s heat can be lost through your roof, a quarter through your walls, and up to a third through the floor. A lot of Kiwi houses – especially the older ones – aren’t up to scratch, and we need to change that.

When is the best time to insulate?

Any time is a good time to insulate.Though, it’s better to insulate your ceiling in winter – this can be a stinking hot job in summer!

What’s an R Value, and what R Value do I need?

The R Value is a measure of the insulation’s effectiveness - the higher the R Value, the better the insulation will perform.

What’s it going to cost?

Cost depends on a few different factors.The basic rule is the higher the R Value, the more it will cost. If you’re keeping an eye on costs, when you’re pricing up different products or brands just make sure you’re comparing the per-square-metre costs not per packet. Installing it yourself will also save you money.

What are the different products to choose from?

The four main products on the market are wool, polystyrene, glass wool and polyester.They all meet Building Code standard and perform well.

Can I install it myself? What’s the easiest to install?

They’re all pretty easy to install, and for the average three-bedroom home you can install underfloor or ceiling insulation over a weekend or two, easy as. If you are looking to install the insulation yourself, check out the Mitre 10 Easy As Guides on installing ceiling, wall and underfloor insulation for a step by step guide.

Or call and talk to our Mitre 10 MEGA Wanganui team